Stressed? Soothe It Away with A Full Moon Bath Ritual

Throughout history, people have followed the cycles of the Moon for a variety of reasons, from tracking fertility to monitoring health and behavior. These cycles are significant in some religions, and many cultures have traditions surrounding the waxing and waning Moon. Even here at Farmers’ Almanac, the phases of the Moon are factored into our formulas so you know the best days to plant your garden, set eggs to hatch healthy chicks, quit a bad habit, and more.

What about personal care? The full Moon has long been thought to have an impact on human health so it makes perfect sense to take extra care of your well-being. A soothing, lavish bath experience can be an important ritual to replenish yourself each month.

4 Steps To Creating Your Full Moon Bath Ritual

Creating a bath ritual doesn’t have to be hard—but keep in mind that the more you put into preparations, the more you’ll get from the experience.

Step 1: Start Clean and Tidy

Cleaning sounds more like a chore and less like a soothing start to your self-care ritual, but it’s an important step nonetheless. Tidy spaces make us all feel more relaxed and comfortable, so it’s a good idea to give your bathroom a thorough cleaning before the ritual begins. Get into the nooks and crannies, wipe down the tub, and organize clutter on the counter. Focus on creating a fresh, welcoming environment to help you relax.

Step 2: Add Atmosphere

There are lots of ways to create the right atmosphere for a relaxing, ritualistic experience. Here are a few ideas:

• Scents are important. You can use incense, essential oils in your bath water, fragrance diffusers, or other scented products to fill the air. Choose your scents according to the mood you want to evoke. For instance, minty scents or jasmine can be enlivening while lavender is relaxing. Cinnamon or rosemary have a clarifying effect that improves focus.
• Don’t skip the candles! They’ll lend their scent to the air, and they’ll also give your bathroom a lovely candlelit glow, perfect for a relaxing evening.
• Create a soundtrack. Choose songs according to your tastes to fit the mood you’re creating. This could be anything from soothing chants to soft ambient background music to slow jazz. It’s your ritual, so make the most of it with your favorite music!
• Pretty crystals, rose petals or greenery are all beautiful natural elements you can add to the theme to make the experience richer.

Step 3: Add A Little Bit of Luxury

Think of your full Moon bath as a ritualized spa day. Invest in a couple of choice spa items to give yourself that pampered feeling. This could take any number of forms—essential oils to scent your bathwater and soothe your skin, bath bombs, a plush robe, or a fluffy new towel just for the occasion. It’s these little touches that will make the experience feel special.

Step 4: Practice Mindfulness

Last but not least, it’s important to remember that the full Moon bath ritual isn’t just about giving your body a treat, but your mind, too. In fact, that’s the biggest reason to turn it into a ritualized part of your self-care—it helps you to focus on yourself and the experience, which makes it easier to set aside life’s stresses and enjoy the sounds, scents, and sensations.

The best part about the full Moon bath ritual is that it’s so easy to make it your own and to change it each month based on your needs. For example, when May’s Flower Moon adorns the sky, you could incorporate your favorite flowers, add different scents, get creative with your soundtrack, or treat yourself to a new spa accessory each time you repeat the ritual.

Above all else, remember that this experience is supposed to be a special occasion designed to help you unwind and tackle the next Moon cycle with renewed energy.